Homeless issues dominate forum with new Sarasota leaders

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 9:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 9:14 p.m.

SARASOTA - About 200 people filled a New College auditorium Tuesday to meet with Sarasota's new city manager and police chief, and many of them came with the same question: What are we going to do about the homeless in Sarasota?

It's a question that City Manager Tom Barwin and Chief Bernadette DiPino have been trying to answer since arriving here Sept. 4 and Dec. 31, respectively.

The new leaders told the audience the city's focus has turned from making arrests and putting the homeless in jail to getting them in housing and getting them help. They want to establish a response team able to help the homeless, and caseworkers who can connect the homeless with services.

During the community forum hosted by the Herald-Tribune as part of its Hot Topics series, both leaders asked residents to be patient.

But several residents said they wanted more immediate results.

John Bryant said 30 to 40 people have moved from Gillespie Park to Central Avenue in Rosemary Court, and he believes drug deals are occurring.

The city was recently issued a temporary injunction to stop enforcing its solicitation ordinance. On Friday, DiPino prohibited officers from arresting, citing and interfering with people soliciting on sidewalks and medians.

She asked Bryant to be patient, and said she can put an officer in the area — likely moving the group of people to another neighborhood — but while the city figures out the legal issues, she has to walk a fine line to avoid a lawsuit.

“I'm a little concerned when you just asked for patience,” Bryant said.

Many attendees were excited about the city's new leadership.

Cindy Edlund, who is homeless and toted her belongings to and from the forum, said she thinks the manager and chief will give the city a needed “facelift.” She applauded Barwin's decision to focus on people with mental health and substance abuse issues and use caseworkers to connect them with resources.

“It was an intelligent, thought-out choice,” Edlund said. She said when Barwin ran into her in the past, he consulted her, asking what she thought could be done for the approximately 400 people who sleep on Sarasota's streets and in the Salvation Army every night.

The officials took that consultative approach Tuesday night as well, and encouraged the community to send them ideas.

DiPino — Sarasota's first female chief — also fielded questions about the atmosphere in the police department. When a reporter asked about sexist comments posted about her by Sarasota officials on a law enforcement website, DiPino said she has thick skin and will let her actions as chief prove naysayers wrong.

She also said staff will go though sexual harassment and diversity training.

“They are going to take orders from a woman. I'm tough, and they will listen,” DiPino said confidently. She dealt with similar backlash from officers when she was appointed chief in Ocean City, Md. a decade ago.

Former Mayor Elmer Berkel, who is chairman of the city's Independent Police Advisory Panel, called DiPino “one of the busiest people I know.”

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - About 200 people filled a New College auditorium Tuesday to meet with Sarasota's new city manager and police chief, and many of them came with the same question: What are we going to do about the homeless in Sarasota?</p><p>It's a question that City Manager Tom Barwin and Chief Bernadette DiPino have been trying to answer since arriving here Sept. 4 and Dec. 31, respectively.</p><p>The new leaders told the audience the city's focus has turned from making arrests and putting the homeless in jail to getting them in housing and getting them help. They want to establish a response team able to help the homeless, and caseworkers who can connect the homeless with services.</p><p>During the community forum hosted by the Herald-Tribune as part of its Hot Topics series, both leaders asked residents to be patient.</p><p>But several residents said they wanted more immediate results. </p><p>John Bryant said 30 to 40 people have moved from Gillespie Park to Central Avenue in Rosemary Court, and he believes drug deals are occurring.</p><p>The city was recently issued a temporary injunction to stop enforcing its solicitation ordinance. On Friday, DiPino prohibited officers from arresting, citing and interfering with people soliciting on sidewalks and medians. </p><p>She asked Bryant to be patient, and said she can put an officer in the area — likely moving the group of people to another neighborhood — but while the city figures out the legal issues, she has to walk a fine line to avoid a lawsuit. </p><p>“I'm a little concerned when you just asked for patience,” Bryant said.</p><p>Many attendees were excited about the city's new leadership.</p><p>Cindy Edlund, who is homeless and toted her belongings to and from the forum, said she thinks the manager and chief will give the city a needed “facelift.” She applauded Barwin's decision to focus on people with mental health and substance abuse issues and use caseworkers to connect them with resources. </p><p>“It was an intelligent, thought-out choice,” Edlund said. She said when Barwin ran into her in the past, he consulted her, asking what she thought could be done for the approximately 400 people who sleep on Sarasota's streets and in the Salvation Army every night. </p><p>The officials took that consultative approach Tuesday night as well, and encouraged the community to send them ideas. </p><p>DiPino — Sarasota's first female chief — also fielded questions about the atmosphere in the police department. When a reporter asked about sexist comments posted about her by Sarasota officials on a law enforcement website, DiPino said she has thick skin and will let her actions as chief prove naysayers wrong.</p><p>She also said staff will go though sexual harassment and diversity training. </p><p>“They are going to take orders from a woman. I'm tough, and they will listen,” DiPino said confidently. She dealt with similar backlash from officers when she was appointed chief in Ocean City, Md. a decade ago. </p><p>Former Mayor Elmer Berkel, who is chairman of the city's Independent Police Advisory Panel, called DiPino “one of the busiest people I know.” </p><p>“I just hope she doesn't burn herself out,” Berkel said as Tuesday's forum ended.</p><p>Meanwhile, DiPino remained at the front of the auditorium near Barwin where the two were inundated with community members' questions and concerns.</p>